Sport

Neyland win Alec Colley thriller

Published

5 years ago

August 19, 2019

NEYLAND claimed the Alec Colley Cup for the first time in 28 years as they held off a late charge from Cresselly on Sunday (Aug 18).

It was a thrilling final which went down to the final ball but it was Neyland who came out on top in Pembroke.

Neyland scored 146-4 in their first innings before Cresselly replied with 127-4.

That gave Neyland a lead of 19 runs and their seconds innings total of 152-4 set Cresselly 172 to win.

Cresselly looked to be on their way to their target but some good late bowling ensured Neyland won by only six runs.

Prior to the game, a minutes silence was held in memory of umpire John Williams who sadly passed away. A collection was also held with money raised going to the Wales Air Ambulance.

Cresselly won the toss and elected to field and it was Nathan Banner and Lewis Page who opened up with a first wicket stand worth 48 runs.

Page made a score of 23 before he was bowled by Lyn Richards and Matthew Lewis then bowled Stephen Murray.

Ollie Richards then had Gavin Rowland stumped by Neal Williams as Neyland were reduced to 99-3.

Banner made his way to a score of 76 with four fours and five sixes but he was then caught by Matthew Lewis off the bowling of Josh Lewis.

Patrick Hannon finished unbeaten on 17 to give his side a good opening total.

Cresselly’s reply began badly as Mike Venables was run out by Nathan Banner and Neal Williams then saw his shot caught by Luke Ryan to give Patrick Hannon his first wicket.

Despite being 1-2, Simon Cole and Scott Arthur shared 83 runs for the third wicket as they looked to get Cresselly up and running.

Arthur made his way to a score of 32 but he was then caught by Paul Miller off the bowling of Gary Lloyd.

Cole scored an excellent half century but was then trapped leg before by Banner on a score of 55.

Matthew Lewis then finished unbeaten on 18 and Lyn Richards unbeaten on 11 as Cresselly ended their first innings 19 runs short of their opponents.

Neyland lost Lewis Page early on as he was caught by Lyn Richards off the bowling of Josh Lewis.

However, Banner and Patrick Hannon then began to cut loose as they shared a second wicket stand worth 115 runs.

Hannon scored 26 but he was then stumped by Neal Williams off the bowling of Matthew Lewis.

Banner hit seven fours and five sixes as he made his way to a score of 97 but he was unlucky to miss out on a century as he was bowled by Matthew Lewis.

The same bowler then had Luke Ryan stumped by Williams as Neyland’s second innings came to a close with the score on 152-4.

That set Cresselly 172 to win the game and they started well with Williams hitting three boundaries in the first over.

However, he was bowled by Nathan Banner on a score of 15 and Mike Venables was bowled by Gary Lloyd.

Banner struck again as he had Scott Arthur caught by Callum Woods and Lloyd then got his second as he had Lyn Richards caught by Lewis Page.

That left Cresselly on 47-4 and staring at a big defeat but Simon Cole and Steffan Jenkins had other ideas.

They shared 76 runs as they kept the scoreboard ticking over but Jenkins was caught by Banner off the bowling of Patrick Hannon on a score of 23.

Cresselly didn’t let that derail their chase as Matthew Lewis joined Cole at the crease.

They took Cresselly to within thirteen runs of their target with the final over being bowled by Jamie Smith.

Lewis took three runs off the first ball but the pair could only manage another three runs between them before the final ball. A six would have tied the game but Lewis missed as Neyland claimed victory.

There were two excellent knocks as Lewis finished unbeaten on 27 while Cole was unbeaten on 69 but it wasn’t to be Cresselly’s day.

It meant that Neyland won the Alec Colley Cup for the first time since 1991 with captain Paul Miller delighted to get his hands on the trophy.

It was an excellent final and a fitting tribute to John’s memory.

Sport

The stage is set – Senior Cup Final

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Herald Sport

It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.

League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.

Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.

There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.

The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.

News

70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding

Published

19 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.

In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.

The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.

The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.

Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.

The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.

For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]

The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.

More information is available on the Sport Wales website.

Sport

Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

Herald Sport

Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.

Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.

The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.

Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.

Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.

The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.